Road divide



Dec. 29, 1936. Q J, MORRlsON 2,066,219

ROAD DIVIDE Filed liaIGh 28, 1955 me/nto@ rrson Patented Dec. 29, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 3 Claims.

My invention relates to improvements in trafc lane markers for highways.

At the present time, it is a common practice to mark off lanes of traffic on the highways by painting lines on the surface of the road to guide the movements of the vehicles. However, it is found from experience that the drivers of vehicles, in most instances, do not pay attention to the painted lines and often pass over the lines into the lane of traffic moving in the opposite direction, frequently causing serious accidents and consequent loss of life.

The primary object of the present invention is to provide a marker, which when substituted for the painted lines to mark off lanes of traffic, will subject the driver of a vehicle who disobeys the markers, to the penalty of a shock or jar if he attempts to pass from one lane of traine into another lane.

A further object of the invention is to provide a marker having extended portions or spurs which upon being struck by the Wheel of a vehicle will give the driver a preliminary warning that he is too close to the markers, thus enabling him to avoid striking the main body of the markers.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a marker designed and constructed to prevent vehicles from skidding from one lane of traffic into another lane and which will also arrest the movement of the skidding vehicle.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a marker which will permit a vehicle to pass over the marker, when absolutely necessary, without danger of the vehicle skidding or getting out of control of the driver.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the above-mentioned character which is simple and durable in construction, efficient in use, and inexpensive to manufacture.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawing, forming a part of this specification and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same,

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view of a portion of a highway equipped with the markers.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the marker,

Figure 3 is a top plan View of the same,

Figure 4 is a bottom plan view, and

Figure 5 is a transverse section taken on the line 5-5 of Figure 3.

In the drawing, wherein for the purpose of i1- (Cl. SLI- 1.5)

lustration, I have shown a preferred embodiment of the invention, the marker consists of a solid rectangular block 5 formed with horizontal top and bottom surfaces E and 'l and vertical sides and ends 8 and 9. It is constructed of metal, clay, concrete, wood, or other suitable material and is of such size that when placed on the highway it will extend above the surface of the road, so as to be clearly visible to the drivers of vehicles. Projecting laterally from the sides 8 of the block, intermediate the ends thereof are extended portions or spurs Ill, formed integral with the main body. The top surface Il of the spurs is inclined downwardly from the top E of the block and the sides of the spurs are ared outwardly to provide downwardly inclined side surfaces I2. Arefecting lens i3 may be mounted in each end of the block 5, so as to be clearly visible at night or if preferred electric lights may be mounted in the ends. The block may be secured to the surface of the road by means of bolts, embedding the block in the road bed, or by forming a groove M in the bottom 1, around the edge thereof, so that when placed on the road, while the road material is soft, the material will enter the groove and upon hardening will firmly secure the block in place. As clearly shown in Figure l, the markers are placed in the center of the highway in spaced longitudinal alinement, to mark off or denote the lanes of traffic. They may be used to divide the lanes of tralc around curves, over the tops of hills, at street intersections, or for any of the other purposes that painted lines are now used in controlling traffic.

In use, it will be seen that the markers will clearly and definitely denote the dividing line between the lanes of traffic and vehicles which attempt to move from one lane into the other. upon striking the markers, will be subjected to a shock or jar suiiicient to penalize the driver so as to make him drive more carefully and keep in the lane in which he is supposed to travel. The spurs ID which project laterally from the blocks serve to give the driver of a vehicle a warning when he is driving too close to the dividing line, by subjecting the vehicle to a slight shock when the Wheels contact With the spurs. The top surface of the spurs is inclined downwardly, so that the outer ends are only raised slightly above the surface of the road and the sides are flared outwardly, so that the Wheels of a vehicle coming in contact with the surfaces will easily pass over the spurs with only a slight shock to the vehicle. It will also be observed that the markers act as a barrier against vehicles skidding from one lane into the other and will arrest the movement of the skidding vehicle. In case of snow falling on the highway the location of the markers will be known by reason of the elevated mounds which will be formed in the surface of the snow by the markers. If the occasion should arise when it was necessary for a vehicle to pass from one lane of traiic into the other, the Vehicle may be guided to pass over the markers without danger to the vehicle or occupants, by passing diagonally across the top of the marker, so that the wheels strike the corner formed by the sides of the block and sides of the spurs.

It is to be understood that the form of my invention herewith shown and described is to be taken as a preferred example of the same and that changes in the shape, size, and arrangement of the parts may be made Without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the subjoined claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

l. A traffic lane marker consisting of a rectangular block having a flat top surface, and end and side surfaces at right angles to said top surface, angular spurs extending laterally from said side surfaces intermediate their ends, the top surfaces of said spurs being inclined downwardly from said block and the side walls of said spurs meeting the side faces of the block at substantially right angles.

2. A traic lane marker consisting of a block having a flat top surface, and end and side surfaces at right angles to said top surface, angular spurs extending laterally from said side surfaces intermediate their ends, the top surfaces of said spurs being inclined downwardly from said block and the side walls of said spurs meeting the side faces of the block at substantially right angles.

3. A traiic lane marker consisting of an elongated block having a at top surface and vertical side and end Walls, angular spurs extending laterally from the side Walls of the block, intermediate their length, the top surfaces of said spurs being inclined downwardly from the top surface of said block, the side Walls of said spurs being slightly inclined downwardly and having their inner ends meeting the side walls of the block at substantially right angles.

OKEY J. MORRISON. 

